"Where beauty masks chains."
Searthia is a lush, vibrant world of dense temperate tropical forests and winding rivers, home to the native Borelander species. Once a free and thriving planet, Searthia now exists under the iron grip of the Vandu Empire, with vast slave populations working under harsh conditions, while many Borelanders have been scattered across the galaxy. From orbit, the planet is encircled by a ring of mineral-rich asteroids, shimmering like jewels against the blackness of space—a stark contrast to the oppression below.
The planet is dominated by towering emerald trees, thick canopies, colorful exotic flowers, and meandering rivers reflecting the warm sun. Its tropical jungles teem with alien wildlife, including birds with vibrant plumage, lumbering herbivores, and predators adapted to the dense foliage. Warm oceans support a wealth of tropical alien fish. Though tropical, the climate is mild but stormy, with frequent rains nourishing the dense plant life.
The Vandu Empire maintains its control through fortresses, orbital surveillance, and sprawling slave camps, creating a stark contrast to the planet’s natural beauty. Borelanders forced into slavery work in factories, mines, and plantations, while Vandu guards enforce strict obedience. Those who escape find refuge in the deep jungles, forming hidden rebel bases to resist their oppressors.
Searthia’s population is primarily Borelander, though the enslaved population is supplemented by other species brought from conquered worlds. Vandu soldiers and administrators are stationed across the planet, maintaining control, while escaped rebels operate in secrecy in remote jungles. The Borelanders’ natural athleticism and cunning make them dangerous insurgents, but the Vandu’s strict oversight keeps uprisings contained.
Slave Camps: Scattered throughout the jungles and along rivers, these sprawling compounds house hundreds of Borelander slaves. Crude but secure, the camps feature barracks, factories, and quarry operations, all heavily patrolled by Vandu guards.
Belt Slave Station: A massive space station orbiting within Searthia’s asteroid belt. This station functions as a mining and refining hub, where hundreds of Borelanders toil under oppressive heat and constant supervision. Vandu mining ships shuttle extracted minerals between the station and nearby asteroids, supplying the Empire with valuable resources.
Hidden Borelander Rebel Bases: Concealed deep within dense jungle regions, these bases serve as sanctuaries for escaped slaves. Constructed from camouflaged darksteel and jungle materials, the bases include living quarters, armories, training grounds, and small makeshift landing pads for smuggling ships. From these hidden outposts, rebels launch raids, sabotage operations, and guerilla attacks against Vandu interests.
Searthia’s natural beauty and abundance of resources once fostered a vibrant Borelander culture, rich with athletic traditions, hunting rituals, and jungle craftsmanship. Under Vandu rule, much of this has been suppressed, though rebels maintain fragments of their heritage in secret. Borelanders excel in stealth, agility, and guerrilla tactics, using the dense jungle terrain to their advantage against the Empire’s superior strength.
The planet’s story is one of contrasts: sparkling rivers, vibrant flora, and asteroid rings orbiting above, set against slave labor, Vandu fortresses, and constant oppression. Searthia remains a vital yet dangerous world, rich in resources and resistance, where the struggle between freedom and domination is never-ending.